Maersk Oil sees a strong future for its UK North Sea oil and gas business after the Department of Energy and Climate Change awarded it 10 blocks in the 26th Licensing Round

Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited announces that it had been granted licenses encompassing 10 blocks in the DECC's 26th Licensing Round.

Commenting, Maersk Oil UK Managing Director Martin Rune Pedersen said: 'I am extremely pleased with the outcome of 26th Licensing Round. We entered the UK sector of the North Sea with the clear aim of growing the business through ongoing investment and expanding our exploration portfolio.'

'Our exploration team is highly experienced and successful, and the award of these additional licenses, with our partners, is in line with our growth strategy. Maersk Oil has the track record and technical expertise to maximize value from these licenses,' Pedersen said.

Maersk Oil and partners were awarded the following:

Operated Block 22/4c with partner Venture Blocks 22/21c, 22/26c with partners Premier and Venture Block 22/30e with partners Britoil, ENI, Nippon Block 23/26e with partners Britoil, ENI, Nippon

Non- Operated Blocks 3/25b, 3/30b, 4/21, 4/26b Total as operator Block 30/1a, GDF Suez as operator (other partners with Maersk Oil are RWE, Nippon)

Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited Aberdeen-based Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited is the UK business unit of Maersk Oil, an independent E&P company and part of the Danish A.P Moller-Maersk Group, with Head Quarters in Copenhagen.

Maersk Oil in the UK was established in November 2005 and has a daily average production of c 50,000 boe. It employs over 900 staff and contractors and operates Dumbarton, Lochranza, Gryphon, Tullich, Janice, James and Affleck, as well as a significant number of exploration licenses.

Maersk Oil globally produces some 700,000 barrels of oil equivalent and has exploration and production activities in Denmark, Qatar, the UK, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Norway, Oman and the Gulf of Mexico.

Tags: Maersk Oil